When he first announced not doing Davis Cup I was a little disappointed. I understood why, and could see the sense, but it still seemed a bit of a shame. Having seen Andy's Miami final, I'm not convinced he'd be fit for Davis Cup anyway. The Russians are decent players and Andy couldn't risk a half-hearted effort and assume easy wins. Never mind the issues about Andy wanting to adjust to clay.

I think because Andy has made a deliberate effort not to play all of the lucrative tournaments between Australia and Indian Wells in order to manage his schedule, he's earned his right to skip Davis Cup.

While it's a shame it doesn't fit into his schedule (been at all the Braehead ties, even the andy less ones, FAB!!!!), there's really not another break now till after Wimbledon. i think he's made the right decision and am sure the powers that be would agree, even if they feel duty bound not to say too much in public.

I voted for one too - can't remember which lol, just wanted to inject some optimism. I've decided I am excited about the clay season. We all know it's not Andy's best surface and there are lots of specialists on clay who appear at this time of year to spring upsets. But hey, Andy hasn't too many points to defend, he isn't awful on clay, it's really just relative to his ability on other surfaces so I'm going to take each match as it comes, each win as a bonus and enjoy the challenge .

Slightly dodgy memory fail - just checked and I didnt vote Andy for a clay title (nice to see me brain joining the rest of me on holiday). All I can say is I meant to! Mea culpa. And hope I'm seriously proved wrong!

Andy's recent form AND results have marked a big change - no doubt Mr L's influence. I would expect Andy to do well on clay even is he isn't double jointed as Novac seems to be or Superman like Rafa, but I think his self belief has never been better. Really looking forward to the upcoming season and I do have high expectations.

To be fair to Andy, none of the other top guys played in their R1 DC matches back in Feb, and Berdych and Del Potro aren't playing this weekend either. Only Djokovic is playing - but then with their tie being on clay, it's effectively a warm-up for ihm.

For me, my expectations are medium sprinkled with a dose of hopefulness.

Against:Least favourite surfaceAdjustment timeLow training time on this surface Worst movement on this surfaceNadal, Djoko, Ferrer.

For:Has targetted clay as his focus this yearFully fit (no back issues like last year - as far as we are aware)Confidence carry-over due to successful start to seasonDraws may open up now he is #2Lendl, Lendl, Lendl.

To be fair to Andy, none of the other top guys played in their R1 DC matches back in Feb, and Berdych and Del Potro aren't playing this weekend either. Only Djokovic is playing - but then with their tie being on clay, it's effectively a warm-up for ihm.

Yeah.. the DC is helping some get match practice on clay.Meanwhile Rafa is already fluent, currently in Manacor combing the stuff after practicing, ready for other players to use.DelPo has been given a WC for MC.

To be fair to Andy, none of the other top guys played in their R1 DC matches back in Feb, and Berdych and Del Potro aren't playing this weekend either. Only Djokovic is playing - but then with their tie being on clay, it's effectively a warm-up for ihm.

But the DC is still helping several players get match practice on clay. Nole had a turn on the terrible indoor stuff in Belgium, and he was very vocal about how unhappy he was about the state it was in.

Isn't time Andy wins a clay title? I'd think so. At the very least, he can beat one of the top players and by that, I only mean Nadal, Nole and Federer. Though Ferrer is just as hard to beat on clay, I still don't want Andy to meet with Ferrer. It's a very bad match up and Andy gains nothing out of it. But anyway, I definitely think it's time for Andy to win a clay title or beat a top player on clay. I'll definitely pull for something much bigger on clay this year.